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Wedding Ring

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I have a blister on my left hand ring finger. I was trimming the shrubs the other day without work gloves, and I got a blister. I'll spare the overly trite metaphors about work gloves, protection, and injury resulting from inattentiveness. Instead I want to share what occurred to me in reflecting on the blister and its location. It's not a bad blister, but all the same I could not resist picking it. Foolish, I know, but I just couldn't help it.

As I look at the resulting blemish and the wedding ring that covers it I can't help thinking about my marriage. I have a wonderful partner and a great marriage. All the same, there are times when focusing on my needs before her causes damage. Yet there is something deeper that we cling to. Something unending and unchanging, like the circle of the ring.

The scripture we chose for our wedding was Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

That ring covers a multitude of sin through the simple reality that it points to. There is one that binds us who is more consistent than my headstrong and willful ways. Thanks be to God that I have the privilege of being bound to Treva through God's love for me. That love is most perfectly expressed in Jesus, and I hope to love her as I have been loved by God. Of course that means that I should be taking out the trash right now.

See ya!

Rev. Zach

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